May 4 2026 - Leaving Malawi: Car Transfer & Visa Extension

Location: MalawiSumary:Today was a really big day — one I had been waiting for. Stephen, one of the administrators at Nakoma Mission Hospital, and I drove together in my car to Lilongwe. The scenery along the way was amazing as always. We picked up a passenger along the route and dropped them off before heading to our first destination: the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA). The purpose was to get my Carnet de Passage stamped out, essentially removing the car from being registered under my name in Malawi since I'm passing it on to the hospital. With Stephen's help, we navigated through the building, went upstairs, waited a bit, and finally got the right person to stamp the document. Stephen also learned that the MRA expects the car to remain at their facility for about two weeks while they formalize the transfer and ensure everything is in order for the hospital. That was mission part one accomplished. Part two was immigration. I entered Malawi on April 6th with a 30-day allowance, meaning I only had one more day left unless I got an extension. Stephen knew exactly where to go. The immigration office was extremely busy, and parking was a challenge, but we found a shortcut to the right office. They stamped my passport with an extension at no cost — just like the MRA stamp was also free. Getting both of these critical items handled quickly was a huge relief. We celebrated with coffee at a place I had visited before, but Stephen suggested it because he knew the owner. Afterward, it was time to head back toward Nakoma, but Stephen stayed behind in Lilongwe at his own property — about 2.5 acres filled with cassava, corn for seeds, pigeons, chickens, and rabbits. He has workers helping manage everything, and he clearly loves the farming work. The whole property is fenced, which is very common in Africa. His long-term plan seems to be saving up to build a house and possibly some lodgings there. I drove back to Hope's Inn on my own, stopping along the way to pick up some barbecued meat from a roadside food spot near the Nakoma Mission Hospital turnoff. Back at the inn, I felt truly accomplished because now I could finally look at flight schedules and book my departure. My plan is to fly to Nairobi first. This journey is coming to an end, and I'm grateful for everyone who has been following along.